He’s Following in Some Big Footsteps, but He Can Fill Them

Just like Magic, Mississippi teen-ager Boris Grims has a new wardrobe.

When the 14-year-old Grims’ feet grew five sizes in a month, his mother, Dorothy Grady, threw up her hands and sent out an appeal for help that attracted media attention and offers of assistance from across the country.

But the biggest assist came from Orlando, where the Magic’s 7-foot-1 center, Shaquille O’Neal, responded.

Earlier this week, Grims received two packages from O’Neal, both crammed with his size 20 shoes--pairs of dress shoes, gym shoes and casual shoes. O’Neal also included one of his Orlando uniforms, jogging pants and other clothing.

“This is your lucky day,” said a message on Grady’s phone. “Shaq’s been cleaning out his closet and wants to send some stuff to the young man.”

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Trivia time: O’Neal is trying to become the fifth player to win the scoring title and the NBA championship in the same season. Who are the other four?

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Traveling man: From Caught on the Fly in the Sporting News: “If there’s no NBA settlement, will the players walk? And if the players walk, will Patrick Ewing? And if Patrick Ewing walks, will the refs finally call it?”

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Field of dreams: Actor Kevin Costner, who attended Cal State Fullerton, has been at the College World Series to watch and root for his old school.

And also to do a little hitting.

Before the tournament opener, Costner took a few swings in the batting cage with the Titans. He put one ball over the left-field fence.

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Hale still hearty: Golfer Hale Irwin has turned 50. But he’s not quite ready to turn his back on the regular tour and play exclusively on the senior tour.

Irwin was 10th on the money list last year, making $814,436--the second highest total of his career. So far this year, he’s 57th on the money list with $175,861.

“Can you tell me what it feels like, because I have no idea,” Irwin said of his milestone birthday. “I feel great. I don’t consider that number to be anything but a number at this point. My physical abilities seem to be as good now as they’ve been.”

Irwin does plan to swing into limited activity with the seniors, playing in the Nationwide Championship beginning June 22 and the Senior U.S. Open the next week.

After all, just because he doesn’t feel like a senior doesn’t mean he can’t play with them.

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Exclusive club: “Who does young Tiger Woods usually play golf with in those celebrity events?” asks the Good Doctor in this month’s Inside Sports. The answer: Jeremy Irons, of course.

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Trivia answer: Michael Jordan did it three times with the Chicago Bulls, George Mikan twice with the Minneapolis Lakers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once with the Milwaukee Bucks and Joe Fulks once with the Philadelphia Warriors.

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Quotebook: Orlando forward Dennis Scott on his illustrious teammates: “When Shaq came in, from Day 1, it was like having Michael Jackson around. Penny [Anfernee Hardaway] came in and it was a step below, probably about like having Madonna around.”